2025/08/21 by A. Tarifeño-Saldivia, Tarifeño-Saldivia, Ariel, César Domingo-Pardo +5
Physics and Astronomy · #Nuclear physics research studies #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Nuclear Physics and Applications
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2508.15465
We propose a new approach for a high-density free-neutron target, primarily aimed at nuclear astrophysics reaction studies in inverse kinematics with radioactive ions circulating in a storage ring. The target concept integrates four key subsystems: a neutron production source driven by a supercompact cyclotron utilizing 9Be(p,xn) reactions, an optimized moderator/reflector assembly using either heavy water or beryllium oxide with a graphite reflector shell to thermalize fast neutrons, a cryogenic liquid hydrogen moderator to maximize thermal neutron density in the interaction region, and beam pipe geometries that enable neutron-ion interactions while maintaining vacuum conditions for ion circulation. This integrated approach focuses on the feasibility by incorporating readily available technologies. Using a commercial supercompact cyclotron delivering a proton beam of 130 μA, the design achieves thermal neutron areal densities of ∼3.4×106 n/cm2 for a proof-of-concept demonstrator at the CRYRING ion-storage ring at GSI Darmstadt. This autonomous accelerator-target assembly design enables deployment at both, in-flight and ISOL facilities, to exploit their complementary production mechanisms. Potential upgrades based on higher-energy and/or higher-current cyclotrons will enable an increase in areal density to ∼109 n/cm2. In combination with a customized low-energy storage ring and a radioactive ion-beam facility, the proposed solution could deliver luminosities above 1023 cm-2 s-1, thereby enabling neutron capture measurements of ∼mb cross sections within a few days of experiment. The proposed system represents a significant milestone towards enabling large neutron-capture surveys on short-lived nuclei, thereby opening a new avenue for understanding the synthesis of heavy elements in our universe. Accepted in PRAB.